Senior Heavy Civil Estimator – Lead Design‑Build Bids

Top Echelon LLC; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

ESOP or 401(k) with company match

Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Performance-based bonuses

Relocation assistance available

Job summary

Top Echelon LLC seeks a Senior Estimator to lead heavy civil bids in Southern California. You will manage private and public works bids, oversee design-build and alternative delivery pursuits, and mentor junior staff.

The role requires 10+ years in heavy civil estimating, strong leadership, and proficiency with Bid2Win, Bluebeam, and Primavera P6. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical field preferred.
• 10+ years of heavy civil estimating experience.
• 3+ years of field experience preferred.
• Proven track record of leading and winning bids up to $300M.
• Strong proficiency in Bid2Win, Bluebeam, Agtek, SketchUp, Primavera P6 / SureTrak / MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full estimating process for projects up to $300M, ensuring accuracy and profitability.
• Review plans, specs, soils reports, and site conditions to define scope and constructability.
• Attend pre-bid meetings and oversee DBE and good-faith effort compliance.
• Coordinate estimating teams for bid preparation and cost analysis.
• Review and approve final bid packages before submission.
• Analyze risks and opportunities and report findings to senior leadership.
• Oversee subcontractor bid reviews and resolve gaps in scope.
• Lead bid closings and provide final pricing recommendations.
• Support alternative delivery pursuits (design-build, CM/GC, progressive design-build).
• Mentor junior estimators and drive consistency across estimating dept.

Skills

Leadership

Bid management

Communication

Risk analysis

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Construction Management

Tools

Bid2Win

Bluebeam

Agtek

SketchUp

Primavera P6

SureTrak

MS Project

Job description

Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil Construction
Location: Southern California
Salary: $140,000 – $175,000 DOE
Employment Type: Full Time

We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join our Southern California team. This role will support both private and public works bids, including large-scale design-build and alternative delivery projects. The ideal candidate brings strong heavy civil estimating leadership with deep experience in highways, bridges, underground utilities, grading, paving, and structural work.

We value people as the foundation of every successful project. Our team offers a collaborative environment where experience, leadership, and initiative directly impact the success of every pursuit.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full estimating process for projects up to $300M, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and profitability

• Review plans, specifications, soils reports, and site conditions to define scope and assess constructability

• Attend pre-bid meetings and oversee DBE and good-faith effort compliance

• Coordinate estimating teams for bid preparation, subcontractor coverage, and cost analysis

• Review and approve final bid packages before submission

• Evaluate project risks and opportunities, prepare risk matrices, and report findings to senior leadership

• Oversee subcontractor bid reviews to confirm scope alignment and resolve gaps

• Lead bid closings and provide final pricing recommendations

• Support alternative delivery pursuits, including design-build, CM/GC, and progressive design-build

• Mentor junior estimators and drive consistency across the estimating department

• Partner with business development and maintain strong relationships with owners and industry partners

• Support post-bid handoff, change order review, and cost-to-estimate analysis

• Promote continuous improvement within estimating operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical field preferred

• 10+ years of heavy civil estimating experience

• 3+ years of field experience preferred

• Proven track record of leading and winning bids up to $300M

• Strong proficiency in Bid2Win, Bluebeam, Agtek, SketchUp, and Primavera P6 / SureTrak / MS Project

• Strong understanding of phasing, scheduling, and critical path analysis

• Solid knowledge of contract terms, insurance requirements, labor agreements, and risk management

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills

• Ability to perform under pressure and manage tight bid deadlines

• Valid driver’s license required

Core Competencies

• Leadership and team mentorship

• Detail-oriented and results-driven

• Strategic thinking and risk analysis

• Strong negotiation and communication

• Professionalism and integrity

• Strong process and time management skills

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $140,000 – $175,000 DOE

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• ESOP or 401(k) with company match

• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

• Performance-based bonuses

• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates